Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is recognized as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges or universities in the U.S. by The Princeton Review. FGCU was the only school in Florida to make the “Top 50 Green Colleges” list.
“One reason FGCU scores so highly and has made this list is because we do an exceptional job of preparing our students to be leaders in sustainability, regardless of their career or major,” said Jennifer Jones, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental studies and director of FGCU’s Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education.
Educational initiatives, such as University Colloquium, which is an introduction to sustainability, are a graduation requirement of every FGCU undergraduate student.
“Sustainability was part of FGCU’s mission and vision from the day it opened its doors,” said Brenda Thomas, the program’s director. “The course has evolved with the environmental movement to focus on sustainability more broadly, including social and economic sustainability as well as environmental sustainability.”
Approximately 30 percent of FGCU’s classes have sustainability embedded in them. In recent years, FGCU has doubled down on its environmental commitment. Building on two decades of proven academic excellence in water-related research and initiatives — as well as in business, health and engineering.
Outside the campus, FGCU’s Center for Environmental and Sustainability Education expands the university’s “green” footprint. The center works to improve the health and well-being of communities and the planet through environmental know-how, access to outdoor learning and expanding the conversation for policymaking. The center also provides opportunities to apply for mini-grants to create innovative educational research projects.
“We strongly recommend Florida Gulf Coast University to students who want to study and live at a green college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief.
With 400 acres of protected nature, FGCU is a living environmental lab with sustainability at its core. Beyond the numerous structures on campus with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) distinction, FGCU has committed to achieving a silver certification or higher on all new constructions. An on-campus 15-acre solar photovoltaic array produces approximately 85 percent of the energy needed to operate Holmes, Lutgert and Seidler halls.
FGCU was ranked 32 in “The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2021 Edition”. The full list can be found here The Princeton Review’s website
